Brigades contain blaze

Containment of the Mount Canobolas fire continues with firefighters from the Canobolas Zone NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and brigades from further afield spending Monday night and Tuesday carrying out backburning operations.

With the work being done ahead of forecast severe fire danger today.

The blaze has now burnt out 1014 hectares of National Parks, state forests and private land.

The fire’s status has been downgraded to ‘Being Controlled’ and its alert level remains stable at the ‘Advice’ category.

The Canobolas Zone NSW RFS has asked for residents to be vigilant about avoiding activities which can spark fires ahead of the forecast worsening weather today.

“The general public has been asked to be careful and avoid [undertaking] activities which may create fires over the next 48 hours,” an RFS statement said.

“Please consider delaying activities such as grinding, welding and other such activities in the open which may create sparks and the potential for a fire.”

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said research by the NSW RFS and Bushfire & Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre showed many people underappreciate the risk to life and property from fires in these types of conditions.

“People in bush fire prone areas need to understand that under these conditions, fires can start easily and spread quickly, impacting on homes, properties and valuable assets,” he said.

“The Mount Canobolas fire, which threatened homes and prompted two Emergency Warning alerts, burnt under Very High fire danger conditions.

“This week we will see strong south westerly to westerly winds develop and coupled with the heat we’ve already experienced, the landscape is very susceptible to fire.

“That’s why it’s so important that landholders, homeowners, businesses and travellers seriously consider how they could be impacted and start planning now.

“Use today and tonight to have a discussion about what you will do if a fire starts near you, so everyone in your household knows your bush fire survival plan.

“With many parents back at work and kids at school, people need to consider what to do if fire threatens when the family is separated.